Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

June 5, 1941 – April 22, 2024

NATCHEZ – Funeral Services for David Earl Graves, 82, of Natchez, who died Monday, April 22, 2024, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Laird Funeral Home.

Burial Will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, and from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Graves was born June 5, 1941, in Franklin County, the son of John Conley Graves, Sr. and Mazie Smilley Graves. He was a 1961 graduate of Natchez High School. Following high school, Mr. Graves joined the U.S. Navy where he retired as Chief Petty Officer serving on a nuclear submarine. Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Graves worked with Entergy Corp at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant as an Instrumentation and Control Supervisor until he retired in 2004. After a second retirement, Mr. Graves taught an occasional electrical and refrigeration class at Co-Lin. He continued to keep busy by “piddling”, in his words.  His most recent joy in life affectionately calls him Pop-Pop.

Mr. Graves is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Patricia Elaine Bradley Graves.

He is survived by his daughter, Amanda Burleigh and husband, Jonathan; grandsons, Jonathan “Goose” and Justin “Littlilest” Burleigh; and loyal companion, Rosco.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Bradley, Bob Graves, Jarrett Graves, Keith Graves, Randy Graves and Ted Graves.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for contributions to the Natchez Children Services, 33 Fatherland Road, Natchez, MS 39120.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.